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I just bought a 1992 KDX 200 with 500 miles showing on the odometer.
It had a cracked tank, so took it without firing it up.

Fixed the tank, cleaned it up, put fresh fuel in it and it fired right up, but there's a steady knocking sound. It sounds like it's coming from the top end.

The bike revs and the knock either dies down or the sound is drowned out.

I had a '87 air cooled model in the 90's but don't remember it knocking like this. Is it normal?

Any suggestions or recommendations?

Thanks!

at idle yes the engine makes a rattling sounds (kips rattle).

Well, the first thing I'd do on an old bike is pull the jug and check the condition of the piston, cylinder, and rings. Cheap insurance for your new toy.

The noise is most likely kips rattle though, and perfectly normal. Piston slap generally gets louder when you rev it, the kips noise goes away when you rev it.

Kips it is then. What a racket...

Thanks!!!

Is there any maintenance that can be done on the
KIPS valves without taking the head off? It's not int the manual.

Thanks!

If it's rattling... it's more than likely is working.... and that's a good thing.

Nope, to clean the kips you have to remove the head. It's much easier if you go ahead and pull the cylinder too so you can do it on the bench.

The bike only has 500 miles on the odo, and rattles, so I assume all is well for now.

I guess. "Run her 'til she breaks."